Clutch Concert Stage Diver Convicted Of Lesser Counts

A man who dived off the stage at a CLUTCH concert, injuring two women in the crowd, was found guilty of reduced charges Wednesday (Feb. 9) and put on probation for one year.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Nancy Fuerst convicted Joseph Seink, 34, of suburban Solon, on two misdemeanor counts of reckless assault. Seink, who agreed to a non-jury trial, could have faced eight years in prison if convicted on two counts of felonious assault.

Seink's attorney, Walter Camino, said he didn't think an appeal would be filed. "We're satisfied with the verdict," he said.

Authorities say two 28-year-old Cleveland women each suffered a cracked neck vertebra but no serious spinal damage when the 195-pound Seink landed on them last June 4 at the Scene Pavilion.

Seink said he sneaked backstage to see the band CLUTCH and celebrated by jumping into the crowd when his favorite song began.

Witnesses testified that heavy metal shows are characterized by violent slam dancing with fans occasionally diving off the stage, expecting the crowd to catch them.

The injured women, Catherine Tressa and Tammie Myers, both have said they didn't expect someone would jump off the stage during the concert.